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Have your say on taxing single use plastics

30 April 2018 - 2:08pm

Following public pressure from organisations and individuals all over the country, the Government recently asked for our views on extending the charge on single use plastic bags to other single use plastics, like drinks bottles, coffee cups, cutlery, straws and food packaging. The ‘convenience’ items are often only used for a few minutes but never biodegrade, meaning that they can pollute the oceans for generations, continuing to pose a serious risk to the lives of whales, dolphins and other marine wildlife.

Over 56% of all whale and dolphin species have been observed eating plastic waste that they have mistaken for food. Only last week it was announced that a magnificent Sperm Whale, a giant of the deep ocean, died after eating 29kg of plastic waste. This has to stop.

Rissos dolphin entangled in plasticAndrew Sutton

Through this consultation we have a real opportunity to make our voices heard on this vital issue. We know that taxation can be an effective tool in changing behaviour both for consumers and businesses. Just a year after the 5p plastic bag charges were introduced sales of single use carrier bags were down 85% - a fantastic step towards protecting marine wildlife.

If you are passionate about this issue please stand with WDC and BRITA UK and add your voice to the consultation by visiting https://notwhalefood.com/#take-action, and share with others you know may be interested. The consultation closes on May 18th so we only have a small window to speak up on this important issue and help to ensure healthy seas for whales and dolphins.